Nonsustained ventricular tachycardias

Patients should routinely visit their physician. If appropriate, medical and/or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy should be initiated and maintained as clinically indicated based on the underlying cardiac disease. Certain drugs may require specific follow-up to monitor for effectiveness and/or toxicity (e.g., beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, flecainide, and propafenone).

A cardiologist should also evaluate the patient for potential treatment options and risk stratification as the natural course of the underlying cardiac disease progresses. Although patients implanted with ICDs can be routinely checked by remote telemetry every 3 months, if the device delivers a shock or the patient experiences tachycardia, immediate follow-up should be arranged.